Genius tips and design (DIY) ideas for kitchens and bathrooms from home renovation specialist Nicholas Teer

Marry the Kitchen to Your Home's Style

"Gone are the times when kitchens were merely kitchens — now they're so pretty they could be any room of the house, says designer Jo Ann Alston of her French Normandy-style layout. Jo Ann incorporated the appliances for a seamless appearance and mixed light fixtures with different styles and finishes to provide the look of having been obtained over time rather than purchased all at the same time. The assorted gray and brown tones in the Chinese slate and oak flooring complement the Jerusalem gold limestone countertop in the island, offering a rich appearance which never wanders far from a neutral colour midpoint.

Opt for New Functionality.

Not only is the color of kitchen cabinets transforming — hardware producers, like Blum, are changing the way drawers and cupboard doors function. These hydraulic, easy-close doors fold up and out of the way with the touch of a button making them perfect for kitchens where space is a problem.

Fresh Hues for Sinks

Like kitchen cabinets, sinks are trending away from basic white or stainless steel. This eye-catching green apron-front sink by Kohler was designed by tastemaker Jonathan Adler. A brilliant sink is an effective approach to pop in a neutral kitchen in a small amount of color by making use of the exact same hue in the backsplash, or make it more of a focal point.

Classic Black and White Palette

As styles evolve the look may change, but the allure of a black-and-white kitchen never dies. It's all about high comparison — this design from IKEA juxtaposes white lacquer cabinets (from IKEA's LIDINGÖ line) and Absolute Black granite countertops, but it also benefits from the tension between country and modern. Warm rustic hardwood floorings are an effective counterpoint to slick cupboard fabrics.

Gray is the New White

Wondering what colour to paint your cabinets? The leading manufacturers of the kitchen industry say that while white cabinets continue to be tops, grey is the color they are betting on to break white's top place. This kitchen by Wellborn couple soft gray cupboards with richly stained wood showcasing just one more kitchen tendency — mixing cupboard colors is a trendy look that is holding powerful.

Opt for Architectural Lines

Sometimes a touch of modern buildings is all you should update your look. The Purist faucet line of Kohler has a minimalist profile, a 360-degree swivel spout, lever handles, and high clearance for pans and pots. All finishes are complementary to a neutral palette: Polished Chrome (shown), Vibrant Polished Nickel, Matte Black and Vibrant Stainless.

New Colors for Quartz

Along with natural stone, quartz countertops continue to be tops. Caesarstone lately introduced a line of six neutral shades for its permanent quartz countertops. Shown is the grayish-beige "Linen," whose subtle colour gradation lends itself nicely to sleek contemporary layouts. Nonporous and are resistant to heat, quartz countertops are also resistant to scratches and spills, making them a smart choice for busy cooks or families.

Timeless Farmhouse Flair

Kohler's apron-front cast-iron sinks come in various colors, including new impersonal tones Dune, a soft sandy shade, and Suede, a dark color that match nicely with granite countertops. "Apron-front sinks have never gone out of style," says interior designer Christine Baumann. "They add a classic focal point to any kitchen. From a practical point of view, they are deep enough to hold large pots and platters for easier clean-up — a shorter individual can even profit from better accessibility to the sink." Christine notes that because of their visual weight, apron-front sinks are best suited to moderate- size or big kitchens.

Add In Automation

The kitchen of the future is here today. From detector-activated lights that illuminate the kitchen only when it's in use when dinner is done, to meat thermometers that alert your smartphone, kitchen technology is here to make your own life simpler. In the event you're new to automation, a fantastic opening merchandise is a hands free faucet, like this one by Moen. Perfect for homes with small kids who can not yet achieve the handle or any kitchen where busy cooks often have sticky hands.

Save Money With a Look-Alike

Countertops continue to define the style of a kitchen — but they don't have to be a budget-buster. This granite lookalike from Wilsonart is actually laminate but unlike preceding laminate countertops features a realistic, bigger stone design and curved border for a high end granite look at a fraction of the price.